Fast-growing, resistant, and beautiful — pothos is every plant parent’s dream. And you can multiply it as easily as one-two-three!
All you need to know is a few tricks regarding how to propagate pothos to kickstart its growth And, in this article, we’ll discuss exactly that — where, when, and how to propagate these evergreen beauties for stunning results.
Whether you choose water or soil as the plant babies’ nursery, this guide has you covered. You’ll have pothos cuttings sprouting roots in no time.
What’s Pothos and Why Is It so Popular?
Pothos plant (Epipremnum aureum), also known as golden pothos or devil’s ivy, is a tropical plant that requires similar conditions as other tropical house plants to thrive.
Pothos plants flourish in warm temperatures (65-85 °F) and humidity levels of 50%–70%. Best of all, these hardy houseplants will forgive most of your watering fails!
Being low-maintenance aside, these plants are popular because of their stunning patterned heart-shaped leaves and fast-spreading vines.
Depending on the care you give it, the nutrients available, and whether you grow it indoors or in your garden, pothos plants can grow 12–18 inches per month. So, they really are the perfect candidate for vine (stem) propagation.
When Is the Best Time for Pothos Propagation?
What’s awesome about this plant is that you can propagate it with ease whenever you choose to do it, even in winter. However, then, the propagation process might last a little longer!
But, just like with most plants, you’ll get the best results if you propagate your pothos cuttings in spring. Pothos love warm temperatures and long days, so this is when your cuttings will sprout roots the quickest and most successfully.
Where to Cut a Pothos to Propagate It?
In order to propagate your pothos plant, you’ll need a stem cutting. You can’t grow new pothos plants from leaf cuttings!
Cut off a part of the stem right under a leaf node (a tiny bump where the leaf meets the vine). To avoid infection, ensure the blades of your cutting tools are sterile and sharp. You can use a scalper, a pair of gardening scissors, or even a high-quality kitchen knife.
Make a cut at a 45-degree angle to ease the absorption of water and nutrients.
For the best results, the cutting should be four to six inches long, with at least four mature leaves and at least one leaf node (preferably five or six). The more leaves and leaf nodes your cutting has, the better the chances to successfully propagate your pothos plant.
It’s also a good idea to take several cuttings to put the odds in your favor, that is, to increase the chances of successful propagation.
Pothos Propagation Methods — Which One to Choose?
There are two nursing media you can put your cuttings in, hence two methods to choose from:
- Water propagation
- Soil propagation
How to Propagate Pothos in Water
This is, by far, the easiest propagation method. Pothos cuttings will sprout roots faster in water, and you’ll be able to see the whole process. And all you’ll need is water and a glass container (test tube, vase, glass, jar, etc.).
Bear in mind that not any water will do when it comes to pothos propagation! If you want to speed up the process and see those roots sprouting as soon as possible, it’s better to use room temperature water that’s either filtered or bottled.
Propagating pothos in water — how exactly to go about it?
Place the cutting in the glass container, and be careful not to leave any of the leaves underwater. If you don’t do this, they’ll likely rot and cause problems. So, if it’s necessary, cut off the bottom leaves beforehand.
Then you just have to place your pothos cutting in a bright spot full of indirect sunlight (avoid cold and drafty locations) and wait for it to grow roots. Once the roots are four inches long, you can transfer them to a pot or decide to make water their permanent residence.
If you‘re planning to transfer the cuttings into the soil, do so as their roots become hard enough, as water-propagated cuttings are more prone to the so-called transition shock.
How to Propagate Pothos in Soil
If you decide to propagate pothos directly in the soil, you’ll need a bit more patience and care. And since you won’t be able to see the roots, you’ll need to trust the process.
Though soil propagation is usually more time-consuming, this method typically results in tougher plants and enables you to quickly add them to your carefully designed plant display — no muss, no fuss. And there’s another considerable advantage to this method — a lower risk of root rot.
First of all, you’ll have to choose the right potting mix. When it comes to potting media, peat moss, perlite, or vermiculite work best. But any other potting medium with good drainage and moisture absorption will do, too (sand, seeding mix, etc.).
Once you choose the right potting mix, it’s time to get propagating!
To propagate pothos in soil, you’ll need to:
- Cut off the bottom leaves from your pothos cutting.
- Poke a hole in the soil with a finger (about an inch deep).
- Dip the cutting in the rooting hormone solution (optional).
- Put the cutting in the hole (make sure the nodes are buried in the soil).
- Lightly moisten the soil.
- Place more potting mix into the pot.
- Lightly pat the potting mix to make it firmer and easier for the plant to stand upright.
And voila! Now you just have to place the plant in a spot with lots of indirect light and wait for it to grow roots. You’ll also need to keep the soil moist at all times but not excessively, so make sure not to go overboard with watering.
Extra Tips for Successful Pothos Plant Propagation
- Dip the node and the tip of the stem intended for rooting in a rooting hormone solution to speed up the propagation.
- Perform regular fertilization but use only small quantities.
- Change the water regularly, at least weekly, to prevent algae from colonizing the glass container.
- Don’t leave your cuttings submerged for too long if you’re planning to transfer them to the soil later. The longer they stay in the water, the harder it’ll be for them to get used to the soil.
- Place the cuttings where they can get at least four hours of indirect sunlight per day.
- Pothos love climbing. So, use a trellis, hooks on your bookshelves, or other creative ways to support your plant while climbing. This will also encourage their growth.
- Water the mother plant one day before taking the cuttings.
- Make sure the roots are at least half-inch long before transferring them into potting soil.
How Long Does It Take To Propagate Pothos?
The length of the propagation process greatly depends on the propagation method you choose.
Your cuttings will take one or two weeks to form roots when put in water. They’ll need more time in the soil — around a month.
Bottom Line
Congratulations! Now you know how to make an army of babies of one of the most popular houseplants in the world.
And, though pothos isn’t picky about moisture levels, fertilizer use, and watering, it doesn’t hurt to know a couple of tips and tricks that’ll ensure successful propagation. So, wait no longer! Give these methods a try.
Happy propagating!
FAQ
Can pothos be grown from cuttings?
Yes. Pothos is one of the easiest plants to propagate through stem cuttings. Due to their fast growth rate (up to 18 inches per month), pothos plants are the perfect candidates for propagation. What’s more, regular trimming is actually beneficial for your pothos plant.
Can you propagate pothos without a node?
Unfortunately, the answer is no! Leaf cuttings alone aren’t enough for propagation. Roots develop from nodes, so your cutting should have at least one node for successful propagation (ideally, five or six).
Where do I cut a pothos to propagate it?
Cut the plant just below a leaf node to make the propagation easier. You’ll recognize pothos nodes as brownish bumps in the place where a leaf is attached to the stem.
Don’t forget to make your cuttings at least four inches long!
How long does it take for a pothos cutting to root in water?
On average, it takes about one to two weeks for pothos cuttings to sprout roots in water. Water propagation is generally quicker than soil propagation, which usually takes about a month.
Can you propagate pothos from just a stem?
Yes, you can, but it might take a bit longer. While your cutting doesn’t have to have leaves, it absolutely needs to have at least one node for the propagation to be successful.
Ideally, your cutting should have several nodes (five to six), some of which you should submerge in the water/put into the soil, while others should stay above. The stem will soon grow new branches from the nodes and eventually leaves as well.
To aid a leafless stem cutting in becoming a new plant, follow the same advice on how to propagate pothos with leaves. And be patient. New roots and leaves will begin to appear in no time!